Iraq executes 'Chemical Ali,' notorious cousin of Saddam Hussein

The Associated Press, 2007Saddam Hussein's cousin Ali Hassan al-Majid, known as "Chemical Ali," for his use of chemical weapons against Iraqi Kurds, was executed today.Baghdad -- Iraq’s government spokesman says Saddam Hussein’s notorious cousin “Chemical Ali” was executed today, about a week after being sentenced to death for the poison gas attacks that killed more than 5,000 Kurds in 1988.

News of the hanging came shortly after three suicide car bombs struck downtown Baghdad. It was not immediately clear whether the attacks were linked the execution of Ali Hassan al-Majid.

Government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh confirmed the execution took place.

Al-Majid — widely known as “Chemical Ali” for the gas attacks — was convicted Jan. 17 for ordering the poison gas to be dropped on the Kurdish town of Halabja in 1988 as part
of a campaign against a Kurdish uprising.

It was the fourth death sentence against him for crimes against humanity.